A TITLE SHOT IN THE DESERT

The first BCS National Championship Game brought No. 2 FSU to the 1999 Fiesta Bowl. With injured QB Chris Weinke unavailable, QB Marcus Outzen started against undefeated No. 1 Tennessee at Sun Devil Stadium in Tempe, Arizona. The Seminoles cut a 14-0 deficit to 14-9 and later added Outzen’s seven-yard fourth-quarter touchdown run, but the Noles fell to the Volunteers, 23-16. The appearance completed an 11-2 campaign and began a run of three consecutive National Championship game appearances for Florida State.